LESSON 18

THE SAILOR'S CONSOLATION

水手的慰藉

Charles Dibdin, the author, was born at Southampton, England, in 1745. He wrote a number of fine sea songs. He died in 1814.

1．One night came on a hurricane⁽¹⁾,

The sea was mountains rolling,

When Barney Buntline turned his quid⁽²⁾,

And said to Billy Bowling:

"A strong norwester's blowing, Bill;

Hark! don't ye hear it roar now?

Lord help 'em, how I pities all

Unhappy folks on shore now!

2．"Foolhardy⁽³⁾ chaps who live in town,

What danger they are all in,

And now are quaking⁽⁴⁾ in their beds,

For fear the roof shall fall in:

Poor creatures, how they envy us,

And wish, as I've a notion⁽⁵⁾,

For our good luck, in such a storm,

To be upon the ocean.

3．"But as for them who're out all day,

On business from their houses,

And late at night are coming home,

To cheer the babes and spouses⁽⁶⁾;

While you and I, Bill, on the deck,

Are comfortably lying,

My eyes! what tiles⁽⁷⁾ and chimney pots⁽⁸⁾

About their heads are flying!

4. "And very often have we heard

How men are killed and undone⁽⁹⁾

By overturns of carriages,

By thieves, and fires in London.

We know what risks all landsmen run,

From noblemen to tailors;

Then, Bill, let us thank Providence

That you and I are sailors."

NOTES.—1. "Barney Buntline" and "Billy Bowling" are supposed to be two sailors. "Norwester" is a sailor's name for a northwest storm. 2. "Landsmen" is a term applied by sailors to all who live on shore.